Christians 55 Gallon Progress thread

[Christian Patti]

Figured I would make one of these progress threads. I already bought my tank brand new from Petco and all the stuff I need from bigalsonline.com with free shipping (filter,heater,testkits,ect,ect). For lighting I bought 2 moon lights and a florescent bulb (buying the fixture at Home Depot since its so much cheaper). I'm Building the stand and the canopy myself which will have the fixtures mounted in it and will be wired directly to the stand which will have its own wiring, 4 GFI plugs, and a few timers. This makes it so the tank only requires one cord plugging in and makes it much safer since a GFI will trip instantly. I'm also making a plexiglass hood to keep fish, water, and heat in the tank.

My stuff from bigalsonline is coming in tuesday so I'm excited for that but in the meantime I've been getting supplies and building the stand+canopy. I managed to find $120 worth of stuff I could return at Home Depot in my basement, which brought the amount of money I actually spent on supplies to be 80 dollars.

I built the stand today and took these pictures after the second coat of polyurethane. The stand is built to stand 40 inches high at eye level unlike most stands.

With flash:


Without Flash


I plan on building the canopy between Tuesday-Thursday when my bigalsonline supplies come in so I know what kind of fixture to buy.

As far as the fish go I plan on a community tank with a school of cherry barbs, some gouramis, and a few angelfish.. maybe more I'm not sure yet. The substrate will be pool filter sand and some granite rocks with silk plants and a few java ferns.


I will keep everyone updated as I progress.


-Christian

[mrsmuffin]

Good job so far. Can't wait to see the progress!!

[Shawnie]

wow what a talented guy! it looks awesome!

[Christian Patti]

thanks everyone, and I will probably be asking for plenty of advice on the way

[Christian Patti]

Here's my first question. My fish stuff just came in the mail and I got the API master test kit which seems to be very popular here, but I noticed it has no carbonate hardness or general hardness testers. I plan on a community tank with some angelfish, gouramis, and small barbs+ tetras. Do I need hardness test kits or will the API master work?

[au01st]

Could you provide info/pics of the making of the hood? I got my setup used, so it came with lids, but no lights. I've come a few times to clicking that "checkout" on DFS with new lids and lights, but I just can't do it yet, lol. I'd be interested in making my own canopy and I'm handy with a saw (made plenty of beer pong tables) and know how to do wiring (uncle was an electrician, so I picked up a lot of stuff). If I could make something as nice for the same amount of money as ordering 2 lights...that'd be cool.

[Christian Patti]

Originally Posted by au01st

Could you provide info/pics of the making of the hood? I got my setup used, so it came with lids, but no lights. I've come a few times to clicking that "checkout" on DFS with new lids and lights, but I just can't do it yet, lol. I'd be interested in making my own canopy and I'm handy with a saw (made plenty of beer pong tables) and know how to do wiring (uncle was an electrician, so I picked up a lot of stuff). If I could make something as nice for the same amount of money as ordering 2 lights...that'd be cool.

I haven't started it yet but I will provide info+ pictures when ITs built which should be around Thursday or Friday.

And does anyone have an answer for my question?

thanks
-christian

[mrsmuffin]

Christian, I am pretty sure that everyone around here uses the API Master Test kit, but hopefully someone else will be along to confirm that. I know that I have never tested for hardness, but I am no where near as experienced as some others around here.

[Christian Patti]

Okay thanks for your reply, well see what others have to say.

And I did some tests with my API kit and here's what I got from my tap water.

pH 7.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0

Will this be suitable for the fish I plan to keep?

[MissMTS]

You probably do not need to test the hardness of your water. I did at the beginning, but most people don't test it for freshwater. If you like, you can go and get an individual test kit for hardness, but you don't need it.

Your pH is suitable for the fish that you plan to keep; however, if your tank is not cycled (which it cannot be with 0 Nitrates, you cannot add fish yet). Read up on cycling your tank fishlessly:

http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

[Christian Patti]

Yeah I've read all about the cycling. I plan on using TetraAqua Safestart, I'm going to look at pets stores today and see if they have it. If not I'll be placing an order online. I still have to secure the stand to the wall (I'm paranoid) then find a pool store and I want to see if I can find a decent pet store in the area (I live in the sticks)

And thanks for answering my question.

[Shawnie]

whhaooo your getting closer..api liquid test kit will be your bestfriend! ...its awesome..and I havent ever tested for hardness either...rarely do I test my ph ...as long as I get the correct readings for the ANN im happy! and so are my fishies (ammonia nitrites and nitrates )

[Christian Patti]

Gotcha :P And I got my bigalsonline stuff today and UPS managed to completely flatten my florescent bulb. Stupid UPS leave it to them to smash a very tightly packed light bulb. So bigals is sending me another one.

[ER9]

KH test comes in handy when and if you decide to use live plants. KH along with PH will help determine your CO2 amount in your tank.

[Christian Patti]

Alright I got the tank all setup and secured to the wall today. I used pool filter sand, some granite I found in my yard, and some silk plants. The water is a little cloudy. Is this because the sand and should I just give it time to settle?

I want to go get my cherry barbs tomorrow since I found safesmart at a local pet shop.

[Christian Patti]

Anyone have an idea why its cloudy? I was thinking the sand but I want to know if it will go away and I want to be sure its safe for my fish.

-thanks

[mrsmuffin]

Your tank could be cloudy just because of "new tank syndrome." Mine always go through a day or so when they are cloudy. I have never used Safe Start, so I am not sure if you should go ahead or wait for it to clear up.

[Darlene]

The stand looks great! I'm looking forward to seeing what it looks like all put together.